Ranulf’s family obligation to protect his son Hugh from execution and his estate from ruin, torn between loyalty to the king and desperate love as violence escalates in his hall

King John’s sudden demand for three marks per knight’s fee despite Ranulf’s recent full payment exposes the Crown’s predatory demands. Gilles escalates the dispute by throwing a gauntlet, forcing Hugh …

King John’s trial by combat is moments from its bloody end when Estram raises his sword to execute Hugh. The Doctor seizes the pause to invoke the rules of combat …